Josh Leather is looking forward to being involved in more major fight nights after getting off to a successful start as a professional.

The Guisborough boxer produced a dominant display on his promoter Frank Warren’s giant bill at the Copper Box in Hackney.

Light-welterweight Leather won all four rounds on the way to a wide points victory over Swindon journeyman Joe Beedon.

The 21-year-old relished his taste of the big time on a card which featured top British fighters Frankie Gavin, Dereck Chisora and Billy Joe Saunders, and is excited about the future.

“It was a huge bill and great to be a part of it,” Leather said.

“There were some quality fights and fighters on it, and I stayed and watched them all after I’d been on early.

“You can’t help but enjoy it when you’re watching people like Chisora and Saunders from ringside, and being part of it and boxing on the same show made it even better.

“I would love to be at the level they are some day, and it’s given me a lot of inspiration for my own career.

“I don’t have a date for my second fight yet, but hopefully I can get one or two in before Christmas. I’m excited about what’s to come.”

Leather had it all of his own way against Beedon, but had to handle debut butterflies as well as his opponent.

“I was a bit nervous, but it was good at the same time,” said the 2012 ABA lightweight champion.

“During the second round I was thinking to myself ‘I’m really here’ because it had seemed a long time coming and it’s a lot different to the amateurs, when you’re boxing in a headguard and vest.

“But I didn’t get caught with anything at all really, and I thought I had him at the end of the third round, but the bell went.

“I kept him at long range and worked off my jab, and felt good- strong and fit.

“Frank Warren said it was a nice controlled debut as well, which gives me a lot of confidence.”

Leather - who has joined North-east fighters Simon Vallily and Bradley Saunders in signing with Warren - was cheered on by around 100 fans, who made the journey from Teesside to London to support the former Wellington ABC amateur.

“My family and mates were there to see me and the support was unreal,” he said. “A big thanks go to them all, because I really appreciate them.”

Like Leather, Middlesbrough super middleweight Michael Joyce is aiming to be back in action as soon as possible after loving every minute of his own pro debut at Darlington Arena.

The 28-year-old from Pallister Park outboxed scrappy Lithuanian Tomas Samusas on the way to a 40-36 victory on his trainer Paul Hamilton’s open air show on the Mowden Park pitch.

“From walking out of the changing room to getting into the ring, it was brilliant,” said the former kickboxer.

“That’s what I really enjoyed with all of my friends and family there. I want to keep that buzz and be out as much as I can and stay active.”

Joyce felt he should have won inside the distance in hindsight but said the experience is all part of his learning curve.

He added: “I should have stopped him, and everyone I’ve spoken to said I should have taken him out.

“But I was trying to listen and work off my jab, and it will be a case of me adding bits on all the time and progressing from here.”

Joyce’s teammate Neil Hepper will now box Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell on October 5 at the 02 Arena in London.

The fight had been originally been made for the undercard of Saturday’s postponed David Haye-Tyson Fury card in Manchester.